Even during the summer holidays, some of the Wareham High School students do not cease learning and exploring. Here are just a few of the students who participated in school-sponsored leadership development opportunities. 

Hugh O'Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar at Bentley University

Emma Arcaro and Cecilia Bottino, Class of 2021 attended the Hugh O'Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar along with 222 other student leaders throughout Massachusetts.

The HOBY Leadership Seminar was held from June 7 to 9, 2019 at Bentley University in Waltham. The seminar hosted sophomores from public and private high schools who were selected to convene for one weekend to recognize their leadership talents and learn to become effective and ethical leaders. Student participants took part in hands-on activities, listened to presentations held by passionate speakers, and explored their own personal leadership skills. The HOBY Leadership Seminar provided students with leadership training to equip them with the tools they need to make a positive change in their home, school, and community.

Local Stone Family Grant made the student attendance possible by providing full scholarships. 

Emma Arcaro and Cecilia Bottino commented about their experience in the program. 

“I thought it was a great opportunity not only to meet new people but also to learn how to be a good leader for myself and other people,” said Arcaro. “I liked the program because it had speakers that were relatable and helped the kids. They got everybody involved, they asked questions, they let people have a voice and it was just really good. If anybody has the opportunity to participate in this program, definitely sign up and do it because you will be amazed.”

“When the opportunity arose I saw what it entails and what i would have been doing and it sounded like a great opportunity to connect with people my age who think like me and who want to do things differently,” said Bottino. “It was so interesting and the people were so kind and welcoming the entire weekend and made us feel like were accepted no matter what.”

Girls and Boys State at Stonehill College

Mollie Johnson, Natalia Moulding, Khai Delgado and Brandon Pham, Class of 2020 attended Girls and Boys State at Stonehill College from June 15 to 21, 2019. 

American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are considered to be among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. During the program, students become part of the operation of local, county and state government. Participants learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs. 

One of the participants, Brandon Pham, shared his experience in the program. 

“There were a lawyer and a Navy commander that came in and told us about our government and states,” said Pham. “I was able to learn more about the law system and how our political parties operate.” 

Wareham American Legion Post #220 selected and provided scholarships for these four high school students to attend this program. 

JROTC Cadet Leadership Camp (JCLC) at Fort Devens

2nd Lieutenant Cory Harunkiewicz, Class of 2015; Senior ROTC Cadet Tyler Litchfield, Class of 2018; Junior ROTC Cadets Evan D'Olimpia, Class of 2019; Shania Donoghue, Class of 2022 participated in the annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Camp (JCLC) at Fort Devens, Massachusetts from June 17 to 21, 2019. 

JCLC provided students an opportunity to practice leadership skills, team building, and adventure training in a hands-on military environment. Activities included rappelling, leadership reaction course, kayak and pontoon aquatics, a helicopter orientation, and orientation of Lexington and Concord.      

Evan D'Olimpia, who has been attending camp for four years shared his experience. 

“I was helping the instructors by running one of the courses they had at JCLC. I really enjoy helping out younger cadets to develop their leadership skills and helping them work together as a team,” said D'Olimpia. “I acquired and sharpened a set of skills such as leadership, the ability to speak to the crowd and motivate people to work.”

“The camp is really neat because they bring schools together from all over the state and even surrounding states. It’s really nice to see everyone get together and really rewarding to see all the kids working together and having fun,” said another participant Cory Harunkiewicz.

Exchange program to Sydney, Australia

Amaya Anderson, Megan England, Allison Horton, and Courtney Osborne Class of 2022 all recently completed a foreign student exchange program to Sydney, Australia from June 22  to July 6, 2019. 

This was the second part of the exchange sponsored by the Global Education Department for the Wareham School District, following a homestay from the Australian students for two weeks in April. During these two weeks in Sydney, the girls participated in scheduled classes and extracurricular activities at St. Catherine’s School for a week and after enjoyed sightseeing during the Australian school vacation week.  Sights included the Sydney Harbor, Opera House, and Bridge, Bondi and Manley Beaches, and the Blue Mountains.  

One of the participants, Megan England, commented on her travels in Australia.

“I loved my host family and my exchange sister and how nice and welcoming they were. Whenever they were going to do something, they made sure that I also wanted to do it, it was very fun. I felt like it was my second family,” said England. “I feel like I gained a lot more knowledge of the world and I think I became much more independent.”